Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to develop a business plan for an organisation or a discrete business unit in the transport and logistics industry in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements and workplace procedures. This includes conducting a situational and market analysis, analysing the organisational environment, developing appropriate strategies, and implementing and evaluating the resulting business plan. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

TLIP5004 Develop a transport and logistics business plan

Element:

1. Conduct a situational and market analysis

Performance Criteria:

1.1
Transport and logistics business's principal services, markets, products and the factors that distinguish the business and contribute to its success are identified
1.2
Transport and logistics business/operating environment is defined and reviewed using information from staff members, customer feedback and external sources
1.3
Qualitative and quantitative market analysis data is documented
1.4
Target markets and relevant regulatory requirements are identified
1.5
Impact of transport and logistics business on market is recorded and projected change in market and/or services during the life of the plan is projected
1.6
Competitors, customer perceptions and market share of existing competitors operating in the transport and logistics industry are identified
1.7
Proposed business focus on specific target markets, pricing, sales and appeals are defined
1.8
Potential profitable opportunities are identified and documented

Element:

2. Analyse organisational environment

Performance Criteria:

2.1
Current transport and logistics business operations, practices, work flow, equipment and facilities are analysed
2.2
Organisational capability in terms of technology, research, development and tools is outlined
2.3
Current resources and resources that may be accessed to meet identified opportunities for business operations are evaluated
2.4
Developments in technology predicted within the lifetime of the business plan are evaluated and analysed
2.5
Organisational capability in terms of staff, equipment, facilities, operational systems and financial status are assessed for strengths and weaknesses
2.6
Costs of making operational adjustments in relation to existing and new business to influence improved profitability and positioning are reviewed
2.7
Premises for decisions are documented, potential circumstances which may alter the environment are identified and contingency provisions are made

Element:

3. Develop strategies

Performance Criteria:

3.1
Benchmark goals are documented and checked for realism in terms of internal and external environmental factors
3.2
Decisions and adjustments regarding resource allocation for products and services are made, based on external and internal analyses
3.3
Organisational adjustments are documented and implementation strategies are established
3.4
Projections of profit and loss or income statements per quarter until break-even point are constructed for the whole organisation and each cost centre
3.5
Business plan, including performance indicators, is finalised in accordance with enterprise requirements and is circulated to stakeholders
3.6
Questions and feedback from stakeholders are responded to promptly and, where appropriate, incorporated into the plan

Element:

4. Implement and evaluate business plan

Performance Criteria:

4.1
Implementation plans for the management of workplaces, staff, business operation and operational systems are monitored and, where required, adjustments to the plans are made
4.2
Current and future marketing strategies and areas of specialisation are detailed and implemented
4.3
Organisational performance in relation to identified performance indicators is regularly monitored and reviewed

Learning Outcomes

Students will develop the skills and knowledge required to develop a business plan for an organisation or a discrete business unit in the transport and logistics industry.

Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities. The self-paced activities will be delivered thought various technology platforms and include your contribution to wikis and discussion threads, reflective journals, quizzes and interactive sessions.

The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.

Students will study concepts and applications pertaining to develop operational procedures in class sessions, using tutorial and prescribed exercises and assessment work. We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities

Group presentation - 20% (Delivery by all groups) In class facilitation and assement (40%) written report hand in

16

26/10

&

27/10

In class facilitation and final late hand in as agreed after extension requests

Individual Competence Interviews

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Overview of Assessment

Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including in-class exercises, problem-solving exercises, assignments, group or individual projects, presentations and written or practical tests, as well as homework activities.

Other activities may be workplace-based or simulate work practices. These may include the production of technical requirements documents, direct observation of workplace practices and the presentation of a portfolio of evidence. This portfolio may include documents, photographs, video and/or audio files.

Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met. Students will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress.

Assessment Tasks

Students are required to complete 2 tasks for this subject. A supplementary interview will also be part of ensuring your compentency in this subject

You must successfully complete all tasks to be deemed competent in this unit.

Group : This assignment is to be completed in groups of 3 or 4 students

Purpose: The purpose of this assessment is for the student to demonstrate the competencies and skills needed to identify key Business Plan and Strategies as outlined in weeks 2 – 11 successful completion of this and competency awarded will result in 40% of marks for final result.

Requirements: Participate in Group Question and Answer sessions in weeks 6 and 11 – you will be expected to demonstrate full knowledge of your group’s report and content so far it will not be limited to the area which you as an individual have researhed

Date handed out: Week 3 Date and time due: Week 15 Group or Individual: Groups of no more than 4 students

Purpose: The purpose of this assessment is for students to demonstrate skills and competencies in preparing and delivering a Business presentation in class in front of their peers. In order to successfully implement a business plan you must get organisational buy-in. This presentation will allow you to develop the skills of ‘selling’ your business plan to the organisation.

Requirements: Prepare a presentation on the subject matter as outlined by the teacher during weeks 1- 14 which you as a group will have applied to your research and formulation of your Transport and Logistics Plan Using the PowerPoint template provided create a presentation outlining the key points of the business plan – each member of the group must present an equal part of the presentation. In groups of not more than 4 students you will be required to present a short, 7 - 10 minute presentation on your business plan.

Given you have only 10 minutes – you may not be able to include all elements of your report – however you should endeavour to include the most ‘mission critical’ elements.

We are expecting that while studying this unit you will be continuously gathering information and storing this within your portfolio. By doing this you should have gathered a range of information (both physical and electronic), that will assist in preparing your presentation and writing this assignment. We expect that this stored information and resources, from our experience, is then able to be used for both future assignments and future workplace problem solving.

Assessment Task 2B – Business Plan Written Report (40%) Date handed out: Week 3 Date and time due: Week 15 Group (Same Group as Assessment Task 2A) Purpose: The purpose of this assessment is for students to develop written report skills on the subject matter in a business like format.

Requirements: The students are to create a written report on the subject matter in a business like format as outlined by the teacher throughout the semester.

Assessment Matrix

Submission Requirements You should: • Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date. • Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (Hard copy and soft copy) • When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on blackboard. • Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2,

Late Submission Procedures You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates. If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination. More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

Resubmissions (VET Programs): If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is “CAG”. If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Adjustments to Assessment In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website: More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31

Marking Guide (Competency): You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying. You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.

Marking Guide (Grading) After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit and you will achieve one of the following grades:

Final Grades table: CHD Competent with High Distinction CDI Competent with Distinction CC Competent with Credit CAG Competency Achieved – Graded NYC Not Yet Competent DNS Did Not Submit for assessment Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.

Other Information

Academic Integrity PlagiarismPlagiarism is a form of cheating in assessment and may occur in oral, written or visual presentations. It is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person, without appropriate referencing, as though it is your own. The penalties for cheating in assessment are severe, whether the cheating involves plagiarism, fabrication, falsification of data, copyright infringement or some other method. Penalties can include charges of academic misconduct, cancellation of results and exclusion from your course. It is also a disciplinary offence for you to allow your work to be plagiarised by another student.

Referencing RMIT Business produce their own referencing guidelines entitled Written reports and essays: guidelines for referencing and presentation in RMIT Business which all Business students should use. RMIT Business referencing guidelines (RTF, 1,286 KB, 52 pages); A supporting Referencing website has been developed for the RMIT Business guidelines.You can find out more about Academic Integrity at RMIT’s Academic Integrity webpage

Group Assessment A number of your assessments will rely upon group work. This is a critical part of your program as in the workplace you will be regularly required to work in a team environment. Teamwork is also one of the key employability skills for this qualification.

The key to being successful in group work is getting to know your classmates and finding out what they want to achieve. You should seek to find a team which shares your key interests and drivers.

If you are facing issues with your group, the key is to resolve them quickly well before assessments are due. If you need to you can seek support from your teacher.